| Partnership
Proposed For Downtown, Arts Center |
| Joint
Effort Would Create Arts Center, Commercial Space |
By Erin E. Fogg 
Observer Staff Writer |
| The Town of Herndon July 8 received its first, unsolicited
proposal for a public-private partnership that would develop
the downtown area, including creating the proposed cultural
arts center along with residential, commertial and retail
properties. |
| The proposal from Clark Ventures, a Bethesda, Md. based
developer, consists of public facilities, including an arts
center, public plaza, parking garage and permanent location
for the farmer's market. Those facilities would be combined
with a private development of mixed residential, commercial
and retail uses. |
| Mayor Michael O'Reilly said he was "tickled" by the unsolicited
proposal, as it is a fantastic opportunity for Herndon to
move forward on a long awaited downtown revitalization project. |
| However, O'Reilly said many details of the proposal could
not be released before The Observer's deadline because the
plan was submitted under Virginia's Public-Private Education
Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002. |
| The Town Council two years ago adopted an ordinance that
allows the town to accept proposals under the act, he said.
While Clark Ventures has released information on the company's
experience and qualifications, they are not publicly discussing
conceptual design details, financing, square footage, road
layout or the ratio of commercial and residential uses, in
order to ensure fair competition with subsequent bidders. |
| Once the council officially accepts the proposal, which
could be as early as next week, a 45-day minimum period of
advertising for competing proposals would begin. |
| "I expect to see at least one more, and more than likely
two or three more," O'Reilly said. He has spoken with about
six developers who have expressed interest in the downtown
project. |
| The Town Council would privately discuss the various proposals,
choose a preferred developer and then hold public hearings
on final contract negotiations. |
| Bill Sawicki, Clark Ventures senior development manager,
said Herndon is a prime candidate for a public-private partnership
because of the willingness of its local officials, staff and
community to improve the downtown. |
| "We saw an opportunity here," Sawicki said. "The Virginia
legislature has given private industry the ability to help
public entities fulfill their needs." |
| Submitting an unsolicited proposal for a complicated development
was a no-brainer for Clark Ventures, he said. "I'm excited
to work in an environment like Herndon where they've had a
vision for such a long time," Sawicki said. "We're going to
take that vision and help them execute it." |
| Melody Fetske, president of the Herndon Foundation for the
Cultural Arts, a nonprofit organization supporting the establishment
of a cultural arts center in the downtown, said she was "guardedly
optimistic" about the proposal. |
| She said the proposal is a great first step, but that the
project is still in its infancy. Since this is only the first
proposal received, the town still has a lengthy process ahead
of it to advertise for proposals from other developers. |
| "I am very excited," Fetske said. "The foundation will support
the town in its efforts and is anxious to participate in the
planning." |
| The town has further positioned itself for the downtown
redevelopment project by taking two separate actions at the
July 12 Town Council meeting. |
| The council unanimously decided to award a contract to Regan
Associates, a consultant that will help the town evaluate
proposals and provide support during the contracting and construction
processes. |
| Also approved at the meeting was a land exchange that will
aide in downtown redevelopment. The council agreed to exchange
7.26 acres of town-owned land on Monroe Street between Herndon
Parkway and Young Avenue for 1.5 acres of land on Center and
Vine streets owned by Concordia/Herndon LLC. |
